Olympic Trials

The 2008 US Olympic Trials were held April 25th through the 27th at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. The race decided the US National Slalom Team for this Olympic year, and was a major stepping stone in the Olympic qualification process. After three days of racing, the 2008 US National Team is as follows:

k1
Brett Heyl
Scott Parsons
Scott Mann

k1w
Zuzana Vanha
Heather Corey
Caroline Queen

c1
Jeff Larimer
Benn Fraker
Tad Dennis

c2
McClesky/Crane
Eichfeld/Powell
Kwanli/Poindexter

c1w
Colleen Hickey

In all the classes, the race was not decided until the final run on the last day, and I think that the pressure really brought out the best in us. A reporter asked me before the race what fans could expect of the event: “Racing,” I told her, and I know that, at least in the women’s class, we really raced our best. It worked out for some of us, others were disappointed. This is the nature of slalom, the nature of racing in general. I am proud of all of us.

I feel very grateful to have won this race, and I would like to thank my family and friends for their continued support as I proceed now with my preparation for the Augsburg World Cup, the final Olympic Qualifier, and most of all my coach Rafal, who is the greatest and knows it. Thanks also to my sponsors, without whom none of this would be possible.

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